Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common, long-term condition that affects the digestive system. It causes symptoms such as stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation, which can come and go over time and sometimes worsen after eating or during periods of stress. IBS does not damage the bowel or increase the risk of other bowel conditions, but it can have a significant impact on day-to-day life. There is no single test for IBS, so it is usually diagnosed based on your symptoms and pattern of bowel habits.

The most common symptoms of IBS include stomach pain or cramping, which is often relieved by passing wind or going to the toilet; bloating and a feeling of fullness; and changes in bowel habit — diarrhoea, constipation, or alternating between the two. Some people also experience excessive wind, an urgent need to reach the toilet, or a feeling that the bowel hasn’t fully emptied. Symptoms typically flare up for a few days or weeks at a time before settling, and many people find certain foods, large meals, alcohol, caffeine or stress can act as triggers.

The exact cause of IBS isn’t fully understood. It’s thought to be linked to oversensitivity of the gut and problems with how food moves through the digestive system — the bowel muscles squeezing too quickly or too slowly, causing diarrhoea or constipation respectively, and cramping pain. IBS often first develops between the ages of 20 and 40, is more common in women, and can run in families. Stress and anxiety don’t cause IBS, but they can make symptoms noticeably worse.